Genesis 33:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”

NIV: But Esau said, 'I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.'

NASB: But Esau said, 'I have plenty, my brother; let what you have be your own.'

CSB: "I have enough, my brother," Esau replied. "Keep what you have."

NLT: My brother, I have plenty,' Esau answered. 'Keep what you have for yourself.'

KJV: And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself.

NKJV: But Esau said, “I have enough, my brother; keep what you have for yourself.”

Esau initially rejects Jacob's enormous gift of five herds of animals. He insists that he is not poor. He has enough. He tells Jacob to keep what he has. In this era, when giving gifts, it might have been considered polite to initially "refuse" to accept. In other words, to honor the giver by speaking of the gift as "too much." At the same time, it would have been considered deeply offensive to actually reject the present, or for the giver to rescind the offer.

Part of Jacob's motivation might be a sense of guilt. Years before, he had stolen Esau's blessing from their father, Isaac (Genesis 27:19). Esau's fate was something less glamorous than that of his conniving twin (Genesis 27:38–40). In the upcoming verses, Jacob will use Hebrew language implying that he wants to share his blessing with his brother.

Genesis 33:1–11 describes the long awaited meeting between Jacob and Esau. Jacob maintains his attitude as Esau's cautious servant throughout, though Esau himself embraces his twin warmly and they weep together at their reunion. Esau hesitates, but Jacob insists his brother receive the enormous gift of livestock he has given. Esau does so. The two will part on good terms.

All the preparations to meet Esau have been made. Jacob has both the promise of the Lord's protection and a plan. Now the moment comes. Jacob approaches, repeatedly bowing low, until Esau finally runs to embrace and kiss his brother. They weep together. Esau meets Jacob's family. Though he initially refuses Jacob's enormous gift, Jacob urges him to take it as a sign of Esau's favor for him. Jacob soon buys land and sets up camp outside the city of Shechem, building an altar to the Lord there.

Jacob has just left a miraculous encounter with God, which left him with a new name and a limp (Genesis 32). When finally faced with meeting Esau, he is pleasantly surprised. Esau runs to Jacob to hug and kiss him. They weep together. After meeting Jacob's family, Esau tries to refuse Jacob's enormous gift. Jacob insists, saying that seeing Esau's face is as seeing the face of God. Jacob, refuses to travel back to Seir and instead journeys to Shechem. This sets up a tragic instance of assault and revenge, involving Jacob's daughter, Dinah.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 4/28/2024 6:58:15 AM